Illuminated sign



y 9 LR. TscHoPP 7 2,284,309

ILLUMINATED 3 IGN Filed April 8, 1941 INVENTOR Louis R. Tschopyn w, @w%,;@m.

ATTORNEYS Patented May 26, 1942 OFFICE 2,284,309 ITLLUMINATED SIGN Louis B. Tschopp, Buffalo, N. Y. Application April 8, 1941, Serial No. 387,401

8 Claims.

impractical nature and have failed of general acceptance because of various inconveniences at.- tendant upon their use.

I have devised a sign construction which possesses attributes which make the production and use of a sign of this general nature a practical and feasible commercial piece of apparatus. The new sign of my invention is durable and structurally strong and simple and safe in construction and operation. It is adapted for mounting and use either interiorly or exteriorly without danger to or uncertainty of proper electrical communication. The individual letters of the sign are readily insertable and removable as well as being readily shiftable to any position in the holder portion of the sign. The shifting of the individual symbol elements is not limited to predetermined positions but permits disposition in absolutely any desired position without interference with proper electrical connection and rigid support of the element. Further, the new sign of my invention is sufficiently simple and easy of manufacture to permit production of the several elements comprising a complete sign apparatus possible at a cost which will be well within practical limits.

A specific-example. of a sign embodying the principles of my invention and which achieves the foregoing objects is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a holder or support having several sign symbols assembled therewith, with portions of the holder broken away for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through the holder and the lower portion of a symbol element; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the connecting jack details viewed as in Fig. 2 but on an enlarged scale.

Throughout the several figures of the drawing like characters of reference denote like-parts'and the numeral Ill designates generally a holder or symbol supporting structure while the numeral ll designates generally any of a variety of sign symbols. The holder ID, in the illustrated form, comprises a base portion I2 and an upwardly ex-, tending wall l3 which may be formed integrally therewith but whichin the form illustrated in. Fig. 2 comprisesa relatively thin panel extending obliquelyupwardly to provide a compartment [4,. the purpose of which will presently appear. The panel I3 is preferably provided with end walls 15 which extend downwardly to the base .12 to complete the chamber [4.

The upper portion of the wall [3 extends vertically to provide an abutment [6. If desired, the upper portion of the wall l4 may further be provided with a cowl or shade portion I! which may house a lamp 18, preferably in the form, of an elongate luminous tube. By, reason of this illumination of the outer surface of the wall [3 such wall may be conveniently employed to receive indicia. secondary to the principal sign which forms the subject matter of the present invention. A sign element container, generally indicated at [9, is disposed, when the parts are in asseme bled position, upon the base l2 adjacent the wall I3 asappears from Fig. 2. This container includes an outside upstanding wall 20, a bottom wall 2| and a relatively short upstanding inner wall 22 which preferably terminates in an en-. larged longitudinal lip portion 23 which may be formed by curling the edge of the material forming. the receptacle, or otherwise. It willbe noted that the inner upstanding wall 22 is in substantially the same vertical plane as the abutment wall portion l6. The container [9 is adapted to be hingedly secured to the base l2 substantially at the lower edge of the outer wall 20. A pair of hinge plates for this purpose are designated 24 and 25 and are pivotally attached by a. hinge pin 26. It will be noted that the hinge portions Hand 25 are shaped to form a central opening 21 which permits passage therethrough of a coil spring28; The coil spring 28 is secured at its opposite ends to extensions of the hinge elements 24 and 25' and it will be noted from Fig. 2 that the disposition of the spring 28 is such that it has an overcenter action.. When the parts are in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 the spring 28 will urge the container IS in a counter-clockwise direction about the hinge pin 26. When the container- IB is moved to theopen position, indicated frag mentarily in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, the

This indicia is, however, merely spring 28 passes through a dead center position with respect to the hinge pins 26 and thereafter further opening movement is under the urge of the spring 28, or at least not against its resistance; This arrangement is availed of so that the container It may lie freely in the posi- 7 tion indicated by the dot and dash lines, while assembly and arrangement of the sign characters is being effected.

The individual symbol elements, which obviously may define the letters .of the alphabet, numerals, or other indicia, each have an indicating portion and a mounting or securing por tion. As shown in the drawing each symbol element comprises atransparent tubularindicia portion 30 and a mounting portion which may as desired, and the several sign elements may 'be connected electrically in series, as indicated means, a variety of sign characters, and the conveniently comprise a pair of blocks of insulating material designated 3| and 32 and normally held together by screws 33. Each or the blocks of insulating material has, in the lace abutting the other block, a pair of half round grooves 34' for receiving and holding the opposite terininal portions of the: tubularindicia portion'3ll. The ends of the indicia portions- 30 are sealed and provided withelectrical conductors 36- which' lead from conventional electrodes within the indicia portions 30 and which may be conveniently connected to an external current source. The tubular indicia portions 30 are intended to contain a gas, such as neon, argon, or such other gases/as are conventionally used. in luminous discharge tube lighting;

The conductors 36 extend from conventional electrodes withinthe ends of the tubular indicia portions 30 .and may be electrically secured to conductor thimbles 31 of electrically conductive material rigidly disposed in suitable. openings providedin one oftheinsulating blocks 32 Com! prising. the mounting: portion for thestubular indicia portion 30; Securement. oi the conductor. 36 may beefiected by disposingits exposed end in an opening in the, thimble 3'Iuand. soldering the joint .so formed, see Fig. .3.. The thimble elements 3'l are. preferably provided with openings having re-entrant portions for engaging detents 38 formed on resilient jacks 3&"01? con ducting materiaL- .Obviously .the jacks, may be inserted. in and removednfrom such openings against the resistance of'the detents 38 of .the resilient jacks 39.. The, jacks 39 are secured-to and arranged to extend from body elements. 4.0 of insulating material, wherein the,j'acks..3.9;are connected permanently .to. the conducting. wire of insulated. conductors M in any convenient. manner. The plugs 40 with associated jacks 39. may be interchangeably inserted .in anyof the thimbles 3.1.. g r

For connecting a group of symbol elements electrically in series a plurality of; conductors M is provided,;each having at its opposite ends, an insulating; body portion- 40 and a connecting jack 39.

It will be noted that the insulating blocks 3| -of the mounting portions are provided-with lon- "gitudinally-extendinggrooves for receiv n the marginal beads 23 of the container ['9. By virtue of this; construction the individually assembled mounting blocks maybe resiliently inserted in and. removed from the containerlB when the latter is in the open position indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2. 1 a

conductors. End conductor members may lead either to the terminals of a transformer or to another sign character holder for connection in series therewith.

While a single detailed embodiment of the principles of my invention is shown in the draw ing and described in the foregoing specification 'it is to be understood that I do not consider my invention as limited thereto or otherwise, except as definedby the appended claims.

, What'is claimed is:

' 1. In an electrically illuminated sign, a holder comprising an elongatexbase portion and arrupwardly extending wall; rigidly disposed adjacent a longitudinal edge thereof, said wall having a longitudinal overhanging portion disposed. above and spaced from said base portion to provide an abutment. and. .a' compartment beneath said overhangingportion, a panel hinged to. the: opposite longitudinal edge ofsaid baseportion; and arranged to extend normally upwardly and spacedlaterally from'said abutment whereby to. provide a longitudinally extending fopening therebetween, said panel being movable pivotally away from said abutment to? give. access. to said. compartment, sign elements comprising supporting blocks and tubular, transparent symbol portions extending therefromjsaid tubes containing. a. gaseous medium rendered luminous by the. passage ofliigh potential alternating current; energizing' electrodes in' said tubes and conductors leading therefrom through said blocks .to a'pair of contact elements on said block and accessible from theexterior thereof .at the. compartment side .of said. holder, flexible. conductors in. said compartment. for interchangeable connection with said contacts to connect a plurality of sign elements electrically in series, and resilient means normally urgingsaid panel toward said abutment whereby to grip and clamp the upper portions of the supporting blocks of a longitudinal row of sign element's,- I

2;, In an electrically illuminated sign, a holder comprising an elongate base portion and anjupwardly extending'wall rigidly disposed adjacent a longitudinal edge thereof, said wall havin a longitudinal overhangingportion disposedv above and spaced, from said base portion to providev an upper abutment and a compartment beneath said overhangingportion, a panel hinged to the opposite; longitudinal edgeof said base portion and: arranged to extend normally upwardly and spaced laterally from;sa-i'd" abutment whereby to provide alongitudinally extendingopening'therebetween, said panel being pivotally movable away from said abutment to give access to, said comp nt. i n. e eme p s n s pportin blocks and; transparent tubes extending therefrom to formsymbols, -saidtubes containing a gaseous medium rendered 'luminousby; the pas- With the container 19 in this position sign sage of high potential alternating current, 'energizing electrodes in said'tubes and conductors leading therefrom through saidblocks to apair of contact elements on said block and accessible from theexterior thereof. at the compartment side or said holder, andflexibleconductorsin said compartment for interchangeable connection with said contacts toconnect a plurality of sign elements electrically in series.

3. In an electrically illuminated signga holder comprising an elongate base portion and a pair of spaced upwardly extendingwalls disposed adjacent the longitudinal edgesthereof, one of said walls having a longitudinally extending overhanging portion disposed above and spaced from said base portion to provide an upper abutment and a compartment beneath said overhanging portion, said abutment being laterally spaced from the other of said walls to provide a longitudinally extending opening therebetween, one of said pair of walls being pivotally secured to said base portion about a longitudinal axis whereby to be moved away from the other wall to give access to said compartment, sign elements comprising supporting blocks and transparent tubes extending therefrom to formsymbols, said tubes containing a gaseous medium rendered luminous by the passage of high potential electric current, energizing electrodes in said tubes and conductors leading therefrom through said blocks to a pair of contact elements on said block'and accessible from the exterior thereof at the compartment side of said holder, and flexible conductors in said compartment for interchangeable connection with said contacts to connect a plurality of sign elements electrically in series.

4. In an electrically illuminated sign, a holder comprising an elongate base portion and an upwardly extending wall rigidly disposed adjacent a longitudinal edge thereof, said wall having a longitudinal overhanging portion disposed above and spaced from said base portion to provide an abutment and a compartment beneath said overhanging portion, a panel hinged to the opposite longitudinal edge of said base portion and arranged to extend normally upwardly and spaced laterally from said abutment whereby to provide a longitudinally extending opening therebetween, said panel being movable pivotally away from said abutment to give access to said compartment, sign elements comprising supporting blocks and tubular, transparent symbol portions extending therefrom, said tubes containing a gaseous medium rendered luminous by the passage of high potential alternating current, energizing electrodes in said tubes and conductors leading therefrom through said blocks to a pair of contact elements on said block and accessible from the exterior thereof at the compartment side of said holder, flexible conductors in said compartment for interchangeable connection with said contacts to connect a plurality of sign elements electrically in series, and overhanging resilient means adapted to urge said panel pivotally toward said abutment when the panel is in a substantially vertical position and to retain said panel away from said abutment when the panel is in a substantially horizontal open position.

5. In an electrically illuminated sign, a holder comprising an elongate base portion and a pair of spaced upwardly extending walls disposed adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, one of said walls having a longitudinally extending overhanging portion disposed above and spaced from said base portion to provide an upper abutment and a compartment beneath said overhanging portion, said abutment being laterally spaced from the other of said walls to provide a longitudinally extending opening therebetween, one of said pair of walls being pivotally secured to said base portion about a longitudinal axis whereby to'be moved away from the other wallto give access to said compartment, sign elements comprising supporting blocks and transparent tubes extending therefrom to form symbols, said tubes containing a gaseous medium rendered luminous by the passage of high'potential electric current, energizing electrodes in said-tubes and conductors leading therefrom through said blocks to a pair of contact elements on said block and accessible from the exterior thereof at the compartment side of said holder, flexible conductors in said compartment for interchangeable connection with said contacts to connect a plurality of sign elements electrically in series, and overcenter resilient means engaging said pivotedwall thereof, said wall having a longitudinal overhanging portion disposed above and spaced from said base portion to provide an upper abutment and a compartment beneath said overhanging portion for the reception of electrical conduit means, a panel hinged to the opposite longitudinal edge of said base portion and arranged to extend normally upwardly and spaced laterally from said abutment whereby to provide a longitudinally extending opening therebetween, said panel being pivotally movable away from said abutment to increase the size of said opening and give access to said housing, resilient means normally urging said panel toward said abutment whereby the upper portions of the base portions of a plurality of sign elements may be engaged therebetween, and a receptacle fixed to said hinged panel and disposed beneath said longitudinal opening, said receptacle comprising a horizontally extending base flange normally disposed directly beneath said longitudinal opening, said base flange terminating in an upstanding flange for cooperation with the hinged panel proper to receive the lower ends of said sign elements to locate the same in accurate longitudinal alignment.

7. In an electrically illuminated sign, a holder comprising an elongate base portion and a pair of spaced upwardlyextending walls disposed adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, one, of

said Walls having a longitudinally extending overhanging portion disposed above and spaced from said base portion to provide an upper abut ment and a compartment beneath said overhanging portion, said abutment being laterally spaced from the other of said walls to provide a longitudinally extending opening therebetween, a longitudinal vertically extending flange adjacent said base portion, rigidly associated with said other wall and disposed beneath said abutment, said flange cooperating with said other wall to receive and preliminarily position interchangeable sign elements, one of said pair of walls being pivotally secured to said base portion about a longitudinal axis whereby to be moved away from the other wall to give access to said from to form symbols; said tubes" containing a gaseous medium rendered luminous by the passage of high potential electric current, energizing electrodes in said tubes and conductors leading therefrom through said blocks to a pair of contact elements ongs'aid ;block:; and accessible said compartment rforinterchangeable connec-;

tion with said contactsto connect a. plurality of sign elements electrically in series; 5.

8. In an electrically illuminated sign, a holder comprising an elongate'base portion and a pair of spaced upwardly extending walls disposed adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, one of said walls having a longitudinally extending overhanging portion disposed above and spaced from said base portion to provide an upper abutment and a compartment beneath said overhanging portion, said abutment being: laterally spaced from the other of said walls to provide a longitudinally extending opening therebetween, a longitudinal vertically extending flange adjacent said base portion, rigidly associated with said other wall and disposed beneath said abutment, said flange cooperating with said other wall to receive and preliminarily positioninterchangeable sign elements, one of said pair of walls being pivotally secured to said base, portion about a longitudinal axis whereby, to be moved away from the other wall to *give'access to said compartment, sign elements comprising supporting blocks and transparent tubes extending therefrom to form symbols; said tubes containing a gaseous medium rendered luminous by the passage of high potential electric current, energizing electrodes in said tubes and conductors leading therefrom throughsaid blocks to a pair of contact elements on said block and accessible from the exterior thereof at the compartment side of said holder, flexible conductors in said compartment for interchangeable connection'with said contacts to connect a plurality of sign elements electrically in series, andovercenter resilient means engaging said pivoted wall and adapted to urge the same yieldably toward said abutment when the pivoted wall is in substantially vertical position, said resilient means being rendered inoperative upon pivotalmovement of said Wall a predetermined distance away from its normal substantially vertical position; I

' LOUIS R. TSCHOPP. 

